Fur machine



March 27, 1934.

` F'. W. HORSTMANN FUR MACHINE.

Filed July 25' 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 l., d i

BxbmMLxwM/Q/Y ATTORN EYB March 27, 1934.

F. W. HORSTMANN FUR MACHINE Filed July 25,. 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR F. W. Ha les TMA/VN ATTORNEY7 munnuun--n--mvm- March 27, 1934. 1,952,254

F. W. HORSTMANN FUR MACHINE Filed July 25, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR ATTOR N EY w. HoiesTMAN/v F. W. HORSTMANN FUR MACHINE Filed July 25, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR F. W. Hors TMAN/v ATTORNEYS March 27, 1934.

Patented Mar. 27, 1934 UNrrEo STATES smear orifice 16 Claims.

The present invention relates to fur machines and more particularly to plucking machines.

` An object of my invention is to provide a machine for automatically presenting a fur to the plucking mechanism and to assure engagement of the fur with the feeding mechanism prior to the fur being placed in such a position that the plucking mechanism becomes operative.

A further object of the invention is to provide plucking mechanism of such a character that the fur can not be sucked into the vplucking members.

A further object of the invention is to provide plucking mechanism capable of presenting a pelt jto the plucking members in such a manner that the pelt is stretched toward the sides thereof and thus presented to the plucking members in a smooth condition. p

A further object of the invention is to provide jplucking mechanism which may be so adjusted as kto present the pelt to the plucking members in a uniform manner.

A sti-ll further object of the invention is to provide a fur plucking machine which is adapted to pluck the full width of a pelt.

Other objects of the invention will become apparentas the following detailed description is read when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a' vertical side elevation of the improved plucking machine;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the plucking machine looking towardthe plucking members from the feeding-in end.

Fig. 3 is a plan View of the plucking machine;

`Fig. 4 is a partial cross-section View taken on line IV-IV, Fig. 3, and

Fig. 5iis a detail view of the adjusting mechanism for the stretcher bar.

Referring to the drawings for a better understanding of my invention, the plucking mechanism comprises vertical side frame members 6 connected together at their upper ends by a cross plate ,'Ivupon which is mounted a` hood 8 provided with a movable doorway 9. The hood has the usual pipe connection 11 to a suction fan (not shown).

Mounted Within the hood are the plucking members comprising a helical knife roller 12 of usual design which cooperates with a rubber covered roller 13, the latter being mounted on each side of the cover member in adjustable pivotally mounted brackets 14, the adjustment being secured by means of set screws 15.

Supported from the sides of the hood by means of side arms 16 are brackets 17 which have oppositely directed arms 18 and 19 located at their lower ends. The arms 18 carry a shaft 21 upon which is mounted a plurality of presser feet each cf which consists of a flat foot portion 22, a bearing portion 23 mounted upon the shaft 21 and an 'pivardly projecting arm 24, the latter having an opening through which passes a bolt 24 secured in a cross bar which latter is fastened to the side arms 16. The bolt is threaded at the one end and upon this end is secured a spring 24" which rests against the arm 24, the tension of the spring being adiusted by a nut 26. Each of the presser feet is similarly mounted. It will be noted by referring to 3 that some of the presser feet are positioned at an angle with respect to the direction of movement of a pelt.

The angle of inclination of some of the presser feet is to the rightand of others to the left, while the central presser foot 27 is quite broad and has its edges directed toward opposite sides of the machine. The purpose of thus positioning and arranging the presser feet is to smooth the pelt from its median axis to each side as the same is being fed past the plucking members.

Mounted in the arms 19 (Fig. 1) is a shaft 28 (Fig. 4) upon which is mounted a plurality of bell crank levers 29. One arm 31 of the'levers is bifurcated and carries a roller 32 (Fig. 3) while the intermediate portion of the lever is pivoted on the shaft 23, the other arm 33 of the bell crank lever being provided with an opening through which passes a bolt 34 secured in a cross bar 35 v fastened to the side arms 16. The bolt 34 is threaded on its outer end and upon this threaded end is mounted a spring 36 which presses against the arm 33 of the bell crank lever, the tension of the 'spring being regulated by a nut 37. These rollers also assist in smoothing the pelt toward its marginal'edges.

The presser feet and smoothing rollers cooperate with the pelt when the latter is draped over a stretcher bar 38, which latter comprises a flat plate 39 (Fig.Y 1) having its upper surface provided with outwardly diverging grooves or serrations (Figs. 2 and 3), there being three series 42, 43y and 44 of such grooves, the series 42 being rather coarse, While the series 43 and 44 are each increasingly finer. These serrations cooperate with the presser feet and smoothing rollers to cause the pelt to be stretched and smoothed as it is being fed past the plucking members. The rear edge 45 of the stretcher bar is triangular shaped so as to divert the skin from its median line toward its marginal edges While the end thereof hangs over this edge of the stretcher bar.

The stretcher bar is mounted on the side arms 46 and 47 which are secured to vertical levers 48 and 49, the lower ends of the levers being mounted on a shaft 51 supported in the frame members 6. These levers carry rollers 52, mounted on a shaft 52 intermediate their ends, said rollers engaging trackways 53 in a horizontal pivoted frame 54 formed of two arms 55 and 56 (Figs. 1, 3 and 5) and supported on a shaft 57 which near one end engages an eccentrically disposed bearing 58 in the end of a lever 59. The shaft 57 is supported at the upper ends of levers 61 which have their lower ends mounted in bearings 62 supported by the frame 6 of the machine. Adjusting screws 62 are mounted through the levers 61 and their ends engage the frame work, whereby the horizontal frame work may be adjusted so as to properly align the edge of the stretcher bar 38 with respect to the plucking members. A bolt 63 passes through the lever 59 and a slotted arcuate link 64 provided on the frame of the machine at 65. The position of the lever 59 in the link may be fixed by securely turning down on a wing nut 1t is thus obvious that by reason of the adjustment of the eccentric the frame work 54 as a whole may be moved toward or from the plucking mechanism while by reason of the adjustment provided by the adjusting screws 62 either side of the frame work may be adjusted toward or from the plucking members.

The outer end of the frame work 54 (Figs. 1 and 4) carries a shaft 66 upon which is mounted an arcuate drum 67 to which is attached at the one end of the arcuate surface of the drum a strap 69. The other end of the strap is secured to a shaft 71. Also attached to the shaft 66 is an arm 72 having a curved headed end 73 which is adapted to engage a roller 74 (Fig. 4) mounted on ball bearings on the cross shaft 52.

Intermediate of the ends of the arm 72 is secured a crank 76 (Figs. `1 and 2) which has its other end passing through an opening in the shaft 52'. The crank 76 is reduced in cross-section at 77 and this portion is threaded to engage two nuts 79 and 81 (Fig. 2) which press against a spring 78 to adjust the tension thereof. The one end of this spring engages the nut 79 while the other end presses against the shaft 52.

The operation of the movement of the stretcher bar toward the plucking mechanism is as follows: Upon rotation of the shaft 7l the strap 69 is wound thereon thus shortening the same and causing a rotation of the arm 72 which through the instrumentality of the crank 76 rocks the levers 48 and 49 and thus moves the stretcher bar secured thereto toward the plucking mechanism. As the arm 72 straightens out the crank 76 also straightens out, thus bringing the curved end or head 73 of the arm into contact with the roller 74. This locks the stretcher bar in position adjacent the plucking members.

The feeding mechanism for the pelt comprises a pair of rollers 82 and 83 mounted on brackets 84 secured on the table 7. These rollers coopermounted on the shaft 111 mounted in the frame work 6L The roller 85 is mounted on pivoted bracket arms 89 pivotally mounted on the ends of the shaft 87. The bracket arms are provided with extensions 91 to which the one end of a spring 92 is fastened, the other end of the spring being secured to the end of a bar 93 fastened to the arms 88.

Intermediate the ends of the arms 88 are secured links 94 which pass through slide bearings 95 fastened on the side bars 46 and 47. A heavy spring 96 wound upon each link 94 is disposed on the one side of this slide bearing and a lighter spring 97 on the other side of the bearing, the tension of the springs being regulated by nuts 98 and 99 threadedly engaging the links 94. It is apparent that by reason of this spring mounting of the feeding rollers and 86 that the end of a pelt which may be draped over the forward edge of the stretcher bar 38 may be engaged first between the rollers 83 and 86 and then between the rollers 82 and 85 prior to the time when the edge of the bar is brought into position adjacent the plucking members, thus preventing the pelt from being drawn into the plucking members and being destroyed.

The mechanism for operating the plucking mechanism 'and the feeding rollers comprises a main driving belt 101 threaded over a pulley 102 secured to a shaft 103 mounted in bearings in the frame of the machine. The shaft 103 carries a: pulley 104 over which is threaded a belt 105 which is also threaded over a pulley 106 mounted on the shaft of the plucking knife 12. Motion is imparted to the feeding rollers 82 and 83 through the pulley 107 (Fig. 3) mounted on the shaft 103, belt 108, pulley 109 secured to shaft 111 (Figs. 1,

2 and 3), sprocket wheel 112 secured to shaft 111,

chain 113 and sprocket wheel 114 secured to stub shaft 114 on which is mounted gear 114 meshmg with gear 1,15 secured to the shaft of roller 83 and gear 116 secured to the shaft upon which roller 82 is mounted. An idler sprocket wheel 117 may be provided to take up the slack in the sprocket chain 113.

The mechanism thus far described may b operated manually as it is merely necessary to rotate the shaft 66 by a lever (not shown) Whereupon the stretcher bar carrying a pelt will be moved into position to bring the edge of the bar over which the pelt passes adjacent the plucking members. Gbviousl'y 'as the pelt is brought into position adjacent the plucking members the feeding rollers 83 and 86 and 82 and 85 engage the edges of the pelt prior to the pelt being brought into position for plucking, thus assuring the tight gripping of the pelt before the plucking members have an opportunity of disengaging the pelt from the stretcher bar and destroying it.

The mechanism, however, is adapted to be operated automatically. To this end there is provided a shaft 71 (Figs. 1 and 2) upon which a gear 118 is loosely mounted. This gear engages a smaller gear 119 (Fig. 3) mounted on the shaft 103. A clutch 121 is mounted on the shaft 71 and this clutch is operated by means of a forked lever` 122 (Fig. 2) secured to a shaft 123 which carries at one end a double foot treadle 124. Obviously upon moving the foot treadle 124 in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2 4the clutch will become engaged and the strap 69 will become wound upon shaft 71 effecting rotation of the shaft 66. thus causing a movement of the levers 48 and 49 and the stretcher bar toward the plucking mechanism. As the arm 72 assumes a horizontal position it will by reason of the chain connection 125 therefrom with the foot treadle move the foot treadle in a clockwise direction thus causing the disengagement of the clutch and stopping the rotation of the shaft 66 and the conse- ...mounted arms which support these rollers.

quent'further movement of the stretcher bar toward theplucking mechanism.

The bar 72 is locked in the horizontal position but may be moved from such position by pressing downward uponY the foot treadle portion 125 which by reason of its link connection 125 with the arm '72 will move the same downwardly. YOwing to the fact that the stretcher bar weight is positioned in such a maner with respect to its pivotal support at the bottom of the machine that its weight always is to one side of this pivotal point, the moment the stretcher bar isfreleased by the downward movement of the arm '72, vthe stretcher bar will be moved away from the plucking members by gravitational action alone, accelerated somewhat by the springs 96.

` The feeding rollers 82-83and 85-85'are provided withk circumferential grooves 126 (Fig. 2) in which are threaded 'guard members 12'7 (Fig. 4) consisting of strings or wire loops. VThese guard members prevent the pelts from following around and between the feeding rollers 82-83 and 85-86.

Assuming the machine parts to be in the position shown in Fig. 1. with the stretcher bar 38 in a position to receive a pelt or skin, the operator drapes a skin over the stretcher bar with an edge thereof hanging over the forward edge of the stretcher bar but with a portion of the skin rest- `v.ing on the at plate 39 and the remainder hangwise direction. This operation causes engagement of the clutch 121 and consequent movement .of the gear 118 through engagement with gear 119 `on shaft 103 which latter is in rotation through the prime mover 101 and 102 and source of power. The rotation ofthe shaft '71 in this manner causes the strap 69 to be wound thereon vwhich shortening of ythe strap rotates the arcuate drum 6'7 and also moves the stretcher barinwardly vtoward Ithe plucking means 12 and 13 through the crank '76,'it being appreciated that the crank '76 is connected'to vthe shaft 52', which latter: is secured 'in the vertical levers 48 and 49 which carry the stretcher bar. As the stretcher bar moves inwardly toward the plucking means the feeding rollers'85 and 86 are carried inwardly through the link connection 94 with the pivotally The continued movement of the stretcher bar inwardly as the strap 69 is wound up on the shaft rI1, lcauses the upper-.surface of the pelt to beY brought under the-smoother rollers 32 and the fiat foot portions 22 offthe presser feet. Immediately prior to Vthe stretcher bar reaching the pluckingposition the koveri'ianging edge of the skin is pressed into engagement with the other mating pair of feed rollers 82 and 83', the latter being in constant motion, thus assuring a krm grip upon the overhanging portion of the skin and feeding thereof past the pluckingV means without danger of the pelt being withdrawn by the plucking means. As the stretcher bar ap- -proaches the limit of its inward movement through the straightening of the crank arm '76, the stretcher bar is locked inplucking position by engagement of the head '73 of the arm '72 with the roller '74 (Fig. 4) on the shaft 52. At the time the arm '72 reaches the locking position the chain connection 125 with the foot treadle will e.

operate to disengage the clutch 121 thus preventing further movement inward of the stretcher bar. Since the feeding rollers and plucking means are in continual' operation, the fur will be fed over the smoothing and stretching portions ofthe stretcher bar and at the same 'timer be plucked., When the fur has been plucked the vention has been shown and describedV herein,

it is probable that many modifications may Ybe made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed isi 1. A plucking machine for pelts comprisingy plucking members, a stretcher bar movabletoward and from said members, means for moving said stretcher bar into plucking position, means for locking said bar in Vsuch position, means for releasing said locking means, and means for accelerating the movement of said stretcher bar from said plucking members when released.

2. A plucking machine for pelts comprising plucking members, a stretcher bar movable toward and from said plucking' members, rollery means disposed adjacent and below said `pluck-l ing members, roller means movable with said stretcher bar and cooperating with said rst mentioned roller means when said stretcher bar is almost in position adjacent said plucking members, whereby a pelt draped over said stretcher bar will be engaged by all vof said roller means prior to the time when said stretcher bar is in plucking position, and means for moving said stretcher bar to plucking position, all of said roller means being positioned to one side of-said plucking means.V

3. A plucking machine for pelts comprising plucking members, a pair 'of rollers adjacent and beneath saidY plucking members, said rollers being disposed to one side of said plucking members, a stretcher bar movable toward and from said plucking members, a pair of rollers movable with said stretcher bar, whereby all of said rollers will engage theend of a pelt drapedy over said stretcher bar prior to the time a pelt is brought into position for plucking.

4. A plucking machine for pelts comprising plucking members, a pair of rollers adjacent said plucking members and being disposed beneath the same and'to one side thereof, a stretcher stretcher bar, whereby all of said rollers will engage the end of a pelt draped over saidstretcher barr prior to the time the pelt is brought into position for plucking, said rollers movable with said stretcher bar being Yyieldingly mounted.Y

v5. A plucking machine forA pelts comprising plucking members, a pair of rollers adjacent'and beneath said plucking members and to one side thereof. a stretcher bar movable toward and from said plucking members, a pair of rollers movable with said stretcher bar, whereby the end of a pelt draped over-said stretcher bar is engaged by all of said rollers prior to the time the pelt is brought into position for plucking,

said rollers movable with said stretcher bar being independently yieldingly mounted. 6. A plucking machine for pelts comprising plucking members, a pair of rollers adjacent saidr plucking members and to one side thereof,` a stretcher bar movable towardV and from said plucking members, a pair of rollers movable with said stretcher bar, said rollers cooperating with each other, whereby a pelt draped -over said stretcher bar will be engaged by all'of said rollers prior to the time when the pelt is in plucking position, one pair of the cooperating rollers be ing arranged to engage each other prior to the other cooperating rollers.

7. A plucking machine comprising plucking members, a plurality of presser feet adjacent said members, a stretcher bar movabletoward and from said members, said presserfeet beingvpositioned above said stretcher bar and engaging the surface thereof as said bar is moved into position adjacent said piucking members, whereby a pelt when draped over said stretcher bar will be engaged and held in position and be smoothed when the pelt is brought into plucking position. 8. A plucking machine comprising plueking members, a plurality of presser feet adjacent and to one side of said members, a stretcher bar movable toward and from said plucking members, said presser feet being positioned above said presser bar when adjacent said plucking members, said feet being yieldingly mounted, whereby when a pelt is brought into plucking position by said-A presser bar the presser feet will'yieldingly engage said pelt'and smooth the same toward ,the sides 9. A pliicking machine comprising plucking members, a; plurality of presser feet adjacent said members, a presser bar movable toward and from said members, said presser feet being disposed above said stretcher bar when the latter is in a position adjacent said plucking members, a plurality of yieldingly mounted fur presser rollers disposed adjacent said presser feet.

10. A plucking machine comprising plucking members, a plurality of presser feet adjacent said members, a stretcher bar movable toward and from said plucking members, said presser feet being positioned above said stretcher bary when the same is in a position adjacent said plucking members, and a plurality of yieldingly mountedY fur presser rollers adjacent tosaid presser feet and remote from said plucking members.

11. A plucking machine comprising plucking. members, a stretcher bar, means pivotallyl supporting said stretcher bar for movement toward and from said plucking members, a trackway for aligning said stretcher bar with respect to said pluoking members, actuating mechanism supported by said trackway and including an arm and a crank arm connecting said stretcher bar to said arm, said arm being mounted to move with said crank arm, means carried by said means and cooperating with said arm to be engaged thereby when said stretcher bar is in position'adj'acent said plucking members.

12. A plucking machine comprising a framel structure, a table mounted upon and supported by said framev structure, plucking mechanismA mounted on said table, a pair of feeding rollers mounted on said table, means for rotating said rollers, means for actuating said plucking mechanism, a plurality of yieldingly mounted presser members supported by said table, a

stretcher bar movable toward and from saidl plucking mechanism, said stretcher bar having a plurality of serrations ,in its upper surface engageable by said presser members, whereby a pelt disposed on said stretcher bar will be smoothed toward the side edges of said stretcher bar during movement thereof toward said plucking members.

13. A .plucking mechanism comprising plucking members, a stretcher bar, means pivotally supporting said stretcher bar for movement toward and from said plucking members, a trackway for aligning said stretcher bar with respect to said plucking members, actuating mechanism supported by said trackway, said mechanism comprising an arm and a crank arm connecting said arm to said supporting means, said arm engaging said supporting means when adjacent said plucking members to lock said bar in such position.

v1li.' A plucking machine comprising a frame work, a table mounted in said frame work, plucking mechanism mounted on said table, a pair of feeding rollers mounted on said table, means for rotating said rollers, means for actuating said plucking mechanism, a plurality of yieldingly mounted presser members supported by said table, a stretcher bar movable toward and from said pluoking mechanism, said stretcher bar having a plurality of serrations in its upper surface which together with said presser members smooth a pelt disposed on said stretcher bar toward its side edges during the movement of the pelt over said stretcher bar.

15. A machine for treating fur pelts comprising means for operating upon the fur surface of a pelt, a stretcher bar movable toward and from said means, means for moving said stretcher bar into position adjacent said st-mentioned means, feedingV rollers adjacent said rst-mentioned means, feeding rollers movable with said stretcher bar and cooperating with said mst-mentioned feeding rollers when the stretcher bar is adjacent said first-mentioned means, and means upon said feeding rollers for-preventing a pelt from following around andbetween said rollers.

16. A machine for treating the fur surface of a pelt, comprising means for performing Work upon the fur surface of a pelt, a pivotally supported platform for supporting a pelt, an idler i feed roller mounted adjacent the forward edge of said platform and carried thereby, a cooperating driven feed roller adjacent said means, whereby when a pelt is ldraped over the feed roller upon said platform and brought into position adjacent the feed roller adjacent the work performing means a pelt placed on said platform will be automatically fed past said work performing means, and means for operating said feed rollers.

FREDERICK W. HORSTMANN. 

